Funding Agencies

DEAR FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS :

Twenty-one years ago, families with children with development disabilities had little to no “housing” options when they became adults. With only institutions or some form of congregate care available, it was not uncommon to have 80 year old parents still having a 50 year old son or daughter living with them. Parents working with the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities began to develop a vision based on the idea that people with disabilities could and should have “regular” housing, in safe neighborhoods of their choosing, near their families and where their support staff could come into their homes to assist them. Those parents and their shared vision are what created the foundation for what Creative Housing is today; an organization that offers the most comprehensive accessible housing options and construction services for people with disabilities and their families. Our housing options promote choice, safety and most of all – independence.

Over the last two decades, Creative Housing has acquired and renovated over 400 properties. From wheel chair ramps and accessible showers, to voice activated home systems, over three quarters of our homes or apartments have been specially designed to assist people with mobility, sight, or hearing impairments. In addition, we have successfully placed another 450 people with disabilities in private market apartments in safe, livable neighborhoods. An originally radical idea from a few cutting-edge parents, has now become commonplace in Greater Columbus. Our public/private partnership is now providing housing to over 1500 people with developmental disabilities and has earned national recognition as one of the most comprehensive housing programs for people with developmental disabilities in the county.

As we look to serve our community in the future, we want to continue that legacy of innovation. As such, we developed Creative Renovations to address the growing accessibility needs for people with varying abilities. Through the development of our construction renovations services, we can update older homes or newly built homes for full accessibility. Creative Housing officially launched Creative Housing/Creative Renovations as an expansion that allows our unique accessibility renovation and construction expertise to be available, to both seniors and others who need their homes renovated at an affordable price from a trusted source. This expansion of services will allow anyone who wishes to stay in their home the ability to do so independently for as long as they choose.

As we also look to the future, we must pause to thank the wonderful accepting Greater Columbus community. Our city, state, county and federal officials, private lenders and foundations, trade partners and contractors, over 70 agencies providing home care, and all of our community neighbors have worked with us to make our story and the stories in this report possible. We thank you for past support as we look forward to what we can accomplish together in the years ahead.